Chapter 3 - DAY 11 - Bath (2)

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HOP ON HOP OFF –SKYLINE TOURS
We started out the day with our second Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour – the Skyline Tour. We wound our way up a hill to Bath University. We did a loop around past their immaculate playing fields and their 30,000,000 Pounds Sports Training and Sports Science Centre. Many of Bath’s and England’s top athletes use the facilities as part of their elite programme (30 million seems like a lot of money for a University to invest in a Sports complex but I guess they have done their sums. Bath University is one of two Universities in Bath and apparently rates as one of the best in the UK (behind the BIG TWO of course). From our brief look around it is obviously a very impressive campus.

PRIOR PARK
Next stop was Prior Park and we elected to jump off the bus and have a look around. Prior Park was original the land and gardens for Prior Mansion which is now an exclusive private school. The grounds have been donated to the National Trust and it has largely been restored to its 18th century glory. The focal point of the gardens is the Palladian Bridge, one of only 4 in the world (inspired by Venetian architect Andrea Palladian) – it’s a pretty flash bridge let me tell you!

The 28 acre park is set in a sweeping valley which offers magnificent views over Bath from various vantage points. There is a roughly 6 mile walk that winds you through the park and past all the main features, these include: Wilderness areas, 3 lakes, woodlands, meadows plus some Iron Age and Roman sites. The weather was fine and warm so we had a lovely hour or so. Not many people around either so it was very relaxing.

MORE SHOPPING
The tour continued across the top of the hill and down into the city. We had a quick bite to eat and then Jeanette was on a mission to find a new cellphone. Her one has been on its last legs for ages and she thinks phones over here are much cheaper (I’m not so sure) anyway after a bit of traipsing around she got a Samsung GT-S5260 for 80 Pounds. The store wasn’t interested in cash they wanted it paid for on Credit Card (which was weird) so when you do the conversion not sure how much of a good deal it really is. Still it gives Jeanette a reliable phone as we get organised for the start of our European adventure.
We got back to base about 3pm and had a quiet drink out on the patio. Really is a lovely view from here.

Because it was our last night before heading back to London we got a recommendation from the Hotel for a good restaurant in Bath and had a top meal at the Garrick’s Head. They specialise in local produce and the place had a very nice ambiance –and a great local cheese board to.

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Photos

Prior Park
Impressive 18th Century Gardens. Palladian Bridge in foreground and Bath City in the background

Palladian Bridge
A major feature at Prior Park

Drinks
Quiet drink on the patio at Tasburgh House